component/ dvi question

[realmadrid]

Hi. I got a sony plasma about 2 months ago. Up until now i've been using component cords for my HDTV. But I had to buy a DVI cord the othet day to watch HDTV. The reason for this is I have my DVD player, Xbox & Gamecube hooked up now using component cords and I only have two component inputs. Changing them all the time sucks. My question is that I've noticed that the picture dosen't seem to be as sharp with the DVI. The colors are no where near as vibrent. This also goes with my digital cable menus. Does DVI just not look as good or am I seeing things. Also I am using the same brand of cords, so its not cord quality. (Monster Brand)

[Blaster]

did you set your Sony Plasma up with one of the calibration discs ?? (Avia , DVE)

if so you adjusted your pic via Y,Pb,Pr cable (analog)

maybe another try now that you are using DVI cable (digital)
I believe the difference is more noticable with Plasma than say CRT

what Cable box are you using? did you go into that menu and make any changes?

just some thoughts... :cheers:

[realmadrid]

didn'it use calibration disc. Looked really good without. No options concerning picture in cable box. Using the newer Motorola. I think the problem must just be now that i'm using digital cords the picture has a "digital look" and i'm not used to it. I was watching the LA/ St Louis game tonight and it didn't look good but that just could that game. I just checked out CSI and it looked fine, just with a digital look. Also i haven't used HDTV for about 3 weeks cause I had my XBOX hooked up so maybe i'm just imagining things where I haven't seen HDTV in a while.

On a side note I'm getting a Sony ES Reciever next week. I'd like to run my XBOX/ Gamecube (both component) through the reciever so I don't have to switch all the time. Should I lose much or any quality.

[57U]

If you wish to continue with component video inputs, there are manual (about $25) component video switchboxes as well as automatic or remote control boxes (more money). Another option, as you've already indicated is an A/V receiver with component video switching. There should be no loss in quality.

Your DVI comment is no real surprise as is indicated in the FAQ on "DVI connections".

[realmadrid]

I looked into switchboxes and for some reason alot of people complained about "noise". I never looked at the FAQ on DVI. I must do that . Thanks.

[rudyusmc1980]

57U,
Who is selling automatic component switchers, I would be very interested in purchasing one. so far I have only found Gefens dvi and hdmi switchers. the only component switchers I have found are manual.

[Blaster]

realmadrid

you say newer motorola , would that be 6200-6208 ?

have you ever gone into the User Settings ?

your Plasma is resolution of 720...?

is the 6200 set to output 720p

just wondering if you have ever set it (1080i/720p/480p/480i)
TV Type 16:9
4:3 override (480i/480p/off)

[MATTZS]

realmadrid

you say newer motorola , would that be 6200-6208 ?

have you ever gone into the User Settings ?

your Plasma is resolution of 720...?

is the 6200 set to output 720p

just wondering if you have ever set it (1080i/720p/480p/480i)
TV Type 16:9
4:3 override (480i/480p/off)

I've posted this on another thread, going into my Mits DLP I thought the picture looked crisper setting my Motorola to output 1080i even though the tv's native resolution is 720p. My guess is that the tv can scale it (is that the right term?) down better than the box. Also 4:3 override set to off cleans up the SD signals a bit and stops the annoying time delay when you change from a high def station to a SD station. Back on the original question I was playing with the HDMI cord just last night, and I also noticed the paleness of running HD cable through it. It also changed the output to 720p automatically. I had to go back into the setup to change back to 1080i and 4:3 to off, after I went back to component.Just my .02
Matt

[Blaster]

didn'it use calibration disc. Looked really good without. No options concerning picture in cable box. Using the newer Motorola.

I was just concerned with the statement "no options" in box

maybe playing with stb settings might result in PQ improvement (maybe)

as you did MATTZS , I just experimented with my box settings

just throwing ideas around,trying to help... :)

[57U]

57U, Who is selling automatic component switchers. See the following thread, post 8. Audio Authority is one.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=7517&highlight=component+video+switch

[mech]

Hello,

I also switched to DVI about two months ago and I thought the same thing about loss of picture quality. I almost think the components were better, but then again I will watch certain programs and thats not the case. I ran a little test and kept them both hooked up and switched back and forth, and again the component cables looked better. What sucks is that if you have a calibration disk you are only calibrating to what your DVD picture is. For me the slightest of picture quality is not worth have to buy a switch and run the extra two cables.

[realmadrid]

Blaster I found the book for my cable box. Didn't realize you had to access those options when the box is off. I was just looking for the options when it was on in the setup menu

[Blaster]

thats great realmadrid

you might be able to tweak the box and get a better pic than ever. . .

hope to hear what ya end up with . . . :)

[Blaster]

realmadrid

was just wondering how things turned out for ya ?

did you make any changes that helped out your situation ?

[ChrisbeChrisbe]

realmadrid

Which Sony Plasma do you own? I have the KDE-50XBR950 and I think DVI looks better. I am currently using component video only because the SA8000 HD does not support the DVI port yet. The image is not as sharp with the component but the strange thing is I have less motion artifacts. I had a Pioneer STB before from TWC in NYC that had DVI. The image was sharper but I noticed that when the camera moved even slightly on an image with great detail that the image would come out of sharp focus. With the SA 8000 HD using component I have not noticed this, but then again the image is not as sharp. I am using the cables that came with the SA8000 HD. I am going to try a Monster cable this weekend and see if it is better. As far as colors go I have never calibrated this TV but notice that the colors with the component video are somewhat over the top which was not the case with the DVI.

[57U]

If you're going to see a "better" picture with DVI, it's usually with a digital display, like your fixed pixel display. On analogue displays (CRT-based), there is usually little/no difference on a properly tuned input.

[mikehbkwm]

i personally see no difference at all with DVI/component from my HD dct.... the only reason i choose DVI is simply because its just one cable from the DCT to the tv....

[brector]

Like others, when I use the DVI output on my box, it is darker. Hopefully when I get the Denon 1910 I can use Avia and make it look as good as component.

[realmadrid]

I have a sony KDE-50XBR950 too. DVI looks great don't get me wrong I just think that the colors looked a little more vibrant with component . The DVI looks a little more bland. Both are still amazing. I first asked because where the difference was so minor I thought it might just be me.

[HDBoobToobNoob]

Not sure how much this would help you, but it helped me greatly.
I have a 32 inch plasma in my bedroom and it only has 1 component input. Philips likes to make you spend about $500 more for one of their e-box's which I opted not to get sinces its a bedroom tv. I had my comcast DVR box using the DVI on the TV and my X-box on my component. Then I had HDCP problems with the comcast box and TV so I had to swithc the comcast box to the component. I think it was Ratman who recommended I get the Madcatz HDTV Component Video Switcher (http://www.madcatz.com/MadCatz/product_details.jsp?product_id=6132). My local Electronic Boutique had one for $19.99 (mismarked I think) and I couldn't be happier with it. I now have my comcast, xbox, and gamecube all going through component on the switcher. Its very easy and cheap. The HDTV signal looks just as good as it did before I had it.

You could also try this Component Video to VESA (http://www.bigscreenathome.com/cgi-bin/bstore/IF-VESA-ADAPTER.html) adapter for the xbox or any of your other component video needs since you have a plasma